Ballot-box



- (No Model.)` 2 sheets-sheen 1.

G. J. MURPHY. BALLUT BOX.

10.593.481 Patentd'Nov.9,1897

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. J. MURPHY.

BALLOT B0X.

No. 593,487. Patented Nov. 9,1897.

george I Mvmfmmw UNTTED STATES PATENT A@Errea GEORGE J. MURPHY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BALLOTHBOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,487, dated November 9, 1897.

Application filed October 19,1895. Serial No. 566,230. (No model.)

To all whom it nea/y concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. MURPHY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Ballot-Boxes, of which the following is a specioation.

My invention relates to ballot-boxes5 and it consists of improvements in that class of ballot-boxes in which the mechanism for receiving, canceling, depositing, registering, and announcing the deposit of the ballot is concealed from View, so as to render it impossible for any person t0 tamper "with the Same.

My invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal section of the box, showing the device for depositing the ballot in position for receiving the same. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the ballot-box on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device by which the ballot may be de# posited in the box; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, of the box.

In the first place it may be well to state that the box shown in the accompanying drawings is particularly adapted for large ballots, now commonly used in large cities under the Australian-ballot system and familiarly known as blanket-ballots. The mechanism employed in this ballot-box, however, may be employed in ballot-boxes adapted to receive smaller ballots Without affecting the object of my invention.

In the drawings, l represents the box,- made preferably of sheet metal, which is divided into three compartments 2, 3, and 4 and has an opening l, through which the ballots may be entered. The compartment2 contains the mechanism for effecting the reception, cancellation, deposit, and registration of the ballots cast.

3 is the compartment for holding the ballots and tis a compartment for holding the flexible partition 5, which is adapted to separate the compartment 8 from the compartment 2 when the ballot-box is not in use. This iiexible partition is shown in this closed position in dotted lines, and in full lines in the compartment 4, into which it is pushed when the ballot-box is to be used,in FigfLbein g traversed on grooved guideways 5L in the sides .and end of the box,

as shown. This compartment Ll is separated from the compartment 3 by a partition-plate 6, and when not occupied by the flexible partition 5 (when the same has been drawn across the compartment 3 after voting has ceased) is adapted to hold the duplicate registry-slips and other paraphernalia necessary for properly conducting an election.

The device for receiving the ballots and by which they may be deposited in the compartment provided for the same, which I term the ballot-gripper, is shown in Fig. l in its normal position to receive a-ballot and in perspective view in Fig. 3. It consists of a pair of jaws 7 and 8, pivotally connected together by the pin 9. These jaws are provided with rearwardly-extending frames 7 l and 8a. The jaw 7 is mounted inside the jaw 8, and its frame is provided with a weight 10,which holds the jaws normally in contact with each other, so that they will grip the ballot and carry it into the box when the ballot-gripper is retracted. The upper jaw 8 is provided with lugs 1l, adapted to a way l2 in the side of the box, whereby the ballot-gripper may be traversed back and forth, this traversing being accomplished by means of a rod 13, attached to the frame 8 of the upper jaw S.

At the front end of the box, extending through the upper jaw of the ballot-gripper and resting upon the lower jaw of the same, is the canceling device, Which may consist of an ordinary stamping device, as 14:, for printing a mark on the ballot, upheld from engagement with the same by a suitable spring 15. This canceling device is connected to a pin 16, also in engagement with the lower jaw of the ballot-gripper, and by which the same may be depressed, so as to engage the ballot. The pin is so arranged that the ballot-gripper will be opened to receive the ballot before the canceling-stamp can strike the same. To allow for the stamp and pin to engage with the lower jaw of the ballot-gripper, I provide the upper jaw with suitable indent-ations 17, as shown in Fig. 3.

The jaws 7 and 8 are preferably faced with rubber, so as to insure that the ballot will be carried into the box when the ballot-gripper is retracted. To open the jaws of the ballotgripper after it has been drawn into the box, so that the ballot may be deposited in the IOO box.

proper receptacle, I provide the lugs 1S, secured to the wall of the box near the rear ol? the same, so that when the ballot-gripper is retracted the frame 7 of the lower jaw will be forced upward by its engagement with said lug, thus opening the jaws of the gripper and allowing the -ballot to drop into the Instead of this cam 1S the way l2 may be provided with the curved extension 12, into which the lug` Il on the ballot-gripper may enter when retracted.

My registering device consists of any suitable counting mechanism incased in a box 19, secured to the wall of the ballot-box, and provided with a suitable dial, whereby the mechanism will register a unit each time it is operated. I may say that I have 'found it expedient te use as a register the ordinary cyelometer now in use on bicycles and othel` vehicles. To operate this register, I provide a lever 20, mounted on a shaft 21, on which is secured a gear-wheel 22, engaging with a pinion 23, directlyY connected with the registering-train of the cyclometer. On the rear frame S of the upper jaw S of the ballotgripper is a slotted arm 2.4., adapted to engage with the lever 20 when the said gripper is retracted to deposit a ballot in the bex. Vhen the gripper is moved forward to receive another ballot, this arm 2l carries the lever 2O forward a sufiieient distance to register a unit on the dial of the eyclometer, the units thus registered corresponding to the votes east. The lever 20 is loosely mounted on the shaft 2l and is provided with a spring-pawl 20, engaging with a ratchet-wheel 22, secured to the face of the gear-wheel 22. Each time the arm 2-t engages with the lever 20 when the ballot-gripper Ais retracted to deposit a ballot it pushes the said lever back a sufficient distance for the spring-pawl 20 to get a Afresh grip on the ratchet-Wheel 22. To announce the deposit of the ballot in. the box, I provide a gong 25 and a suitable springhammer 26. This hammer is engaged by the weight carried by the ballot-gripper when it is retracted to receive a fresh ballet and is moved in the direction ol the arrow, Fig. l.. \Vhen released by said jaw, the tension of the spring causes it to strike the gong.

To prevent the deposit of a fraudulent'. ballot, it is necessary that the aperture through which the ballots are entered be closed as soon as the ballot is within the bex. Iaeeomplish this by providing the door 27, pivoted at 2S and provided with a weight 29, which will cause it to lall as soon as the ballot-gripper is retracted. To raise the door, the cam 30 is placed on the under side of the same, with which the,ballot-gripper will engage when it is presented at the Front of the box for a new ballot.

XVhcn the voting has ceased, the flexible partition 5 may be drawn into place, separating the compartment 2 from the compartment 0. This may be accomplished as follows: 0n 'the end of this flexible partition is an apertured handle 3l., which projects through the opening 3l in the box when the flexible partition is in place. This handle maybe secured by a suitable padlock, as shown Vin Fig. it. To move this partition-plate out of the way, so that the box may be used, and to bring it into its proper place again when the voting has ceased, l use a suitable hooked rod adapted to be inserted in the slot 231 Vin the front ol the box and engage with the apertured handle 3l on the end of the flexible partition. To inelose or cover the slot lL in the box where the ballots are entered, I use a cover-plate, as 32, hinged at 33, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, which is also adapted to cover the mechanism for opening the jaws ot' the gripper and the device `for canceling` the ballot. This cover-plate has a slot 2:32, th rough wh ich may project the handle 3l on the end ol' the flexible partition, so that the padlock 251i (shown in dotted lines in Fig. l) when secured thereto will lock both the llexible partition in place and the cover-plate 32.

In order that the ballots may be examined after they have been deposited in the box, the bottom 35 otl the same is hinged at 3H, as shown, and a suitable lock 37 is secured te said bottom, so that it maybe `.fastened to the front l" of the box.

The top 3S of the box, which conceals the operating mechanism, also hinged at 25S) and is provided with a lock lo, by which it may be fastened to the il'ront l of the box.

The box should be provided with cards on its front face indicating the division and ward in which the ballots it containshave been east, as well as the number of votes, and lor the purpose of holding these cards I provide the pockets or frames 42.

The operation el my improved ballot-box is as follows: The cover-plate $32 is Vfirst removed, and this releases the cancelingI device and thepin for opening the jaws to receive the ballot. The flexible partition-plate is pushed out of the way by means ot' a snitablehookcd red, as above mentioned, and the box is then in condition to receive the ballot. By pushing down on the pin 1G the lower jaw ot' the gripper is depressed, al'ter which the ballot may be inserted. ly continuing this movement of the pin lf3 the canceling-stamp is pushed down far enough to engage the ballot against the lower j aw of the gripper and stamp the same, the jaw being supported by a suitable ledge ll on the wall of the box. Atteithe ballot has been engaged by the gri pper the rod i3 is retracted, so as to carry the ballotI into the receptacle provided l'or the same, the lugs IS on the side of the box causing the jaws 7 and 8 to open to permit this. The

described.

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has also been engaged by the weight 10 as the gripper has been retracted, and when the weight has passed the same the gong is struck. As may be seen, the mechanism for manipulating my ballot-box is very simple and is entirely concealed from view and locked against the machinations of any dishonest election officers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a ballot-box, the combination of the receptacle for receiving the ballots, a gripping device for depositing the ballots in said receptacle, and means for traversing said gripping device to and fro in the box.

2. In a ballot-box, the combination of the receptacle for receiving the ballots, a gripping device for depositing the ballots ,in said receptacle, said gripping device havin gportions adapted to ways in the walls of the ballot-box, and means for traversing said gripping device so as to draw the ballots into the box.

3. In a ballot-box, the combination of the receptacle for receiving the ballots, a gripping device for depositing the ballots in said receptacle, said gripping device having portions adapted to ways in the walls of the box, and a rod connected to said gripping device whereby it may be drawn into the ballot-box.

4. The combination in a ballot-box, of the receptacle for receiving the ballots, a sliding gripping device adapted to carry the ballot so that it may be deposited in said receptacle and a iiexible partition dividing the receptacle for the ballots from the device for depositing the same.

5. The combination in aballot-box of a receptacle for the ballots, means for depositing the ballots, a iiexible partition dividing the depositing mechanism from the receptacle for holding the ballots, a compartment for holding the flexible partition, and ways upon which said partition may be traversed.

6. The combination in a ballot-box, of the receptacle for the ballots, the gripping device comprising jaws mounted so as to be free to move back and forth in the box, and means for opening and closing the jaws to receive and grip the ballots.

7. The combination in a ballot-box, of the gripping device for carrying the ballot into the box, and a spring-controlled pin for separating the jaws of the gripper so that it may engage the ballot.

8. The combination in a ballot-box, of the receptacle for the ballots, a gripping device for .depositing the ballots in said receptacle, ways in the sides of the box upon which the gripping device may be traversed, anda cam or lug in the rear of the box adjacent to said ways, 'for separating the jaws of the ballotgripper so that the ballot may drop into the 9. The combination in a ballot-box of the receptacle for the ballots, a gripping device movable to and fro in the box, and serving to draw in and deposit the ballots, means for operating the gripping device at the forward end of its travel so as to cause it to grip the ballot, and provision for opening the gripping device at the inner termination of its travel in order to release the ballot.

10. The combination in a ballot-box of the receptacle for receiving the ballots, a gripping device for depositing said ballots, means for operating the jaws of the gripping device, and a canceling-stamp connected to such jaw-operating device.

11. The combination in a ballot-box of the receptacle for the ballots, a gripping device movable to and fro in the box and serving to deposit the ballots therein, and mechanism operated by said movable gripper for registering the deposit of the ballots.

12. The combination in a ballot-box, of the receptacle for the ballots, a movable gripping device for'depositing the ballots therein, registering mechanism, a lever for operatin g said mechanism, and a slotted arm carried by the gripping device and adapted to engage with said lever and operate the registering mechanism.

.13. The combination in a ballot-box, of the receptacle for the ballots, a gripping device for depositing the ballots therein., a registering device adapted to be operated by said gripping device, and a gong for announcing the deposit of the ballots, operated by the ballot-gripper as it is retracted to receive a new ballot.

14. In a ballot-box of the character described, a gripping device for eiecting the deposit of the ballots in the box, consisting of a pair of pivoted jaws connected together bya suitable in, and adapted to be drawn into the box to deposit the ballot by any suitable means, said jaws being normally held in engagement with each other by a weight mounted on the lower jaw.

15'. In a ballot-box of the character described, a gripping device for eiiecting a deposit of the ballots, consisting of a pair of pivoted j aws suitably connected together and adapted to be traversed in the box so as to deposit the ballot, said jaws being faced with rubber or other suitable substance in order that the ballot may be securely held while being drawn into the box, the jaws being held in engagement with each other by a suitable weight carried by the lower jaw.

1G. The combination with a ballot-box of the character described, having an aperture in the front of said box through which the ballots may be entered, of a ballot-gripping device-movable to and fro in the box, and means for closing said aperture after the ballot has been drawn through the same.

17. The combination with a ballotbox of the character described, having an aperture in the box through which the ballots maybe entered, of a ballot-gripping-device movable to and fro in the box, and a pivoted weighted door for closing said aperture, said door be- IIO ing adapted to be raised to open the aperture by the ballot-gripper, when the same is presented at the front of the box for anew ballot.

18. The combination with a ballot-bonv of the character described, having an aperture iu the box through whieh the ballots may be entered, of a ballot-gripping deviee movable to and fro in the box, a pivoted weighted door for closing said aperture, and a eain on said door whereby the same may be raised when the ballot-gripper is presented at the front of the box for a new ballot.

19. The eoinbination of a baiiot-box having a series of compartments, with a hinged top piate and a hinged bottom plate, and a flexible partition for dividing the said compartments.

20. The combination with a ballot-box having a series of compartments, of a iiexible partition for separating said eompartments, said partition eonsistin g of a series of slats orstrips mounted upon flexible belts.

2l. In a bai1ot-box of the eharaeter deseribed, a gripping deviee adapted to traverse within the box so as to eiieet the deposit oi the ballots therein, said gripping device eensisting of a pair of jaws pivotaily eonneeted together, and means for holding said jaws in engagement with eaeh other.

rlhe combination in a ballot-box, of the receptacle for the ballots, the gripping deviee by which said ballots may be deposited in the box, ways upon which said gripping devieo may be traversed, said ways being adapted to heid the jaws of the gripping device in contaet with eaeh other so that the ballot will be earried into the box, and means for opening said jaws.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence olf two subseribing witnesses.

GEORGE J. MURPHY.

Witnesses:

MURRAY C. Borna, Jos. ill. KLEIN. 

